The editors of Airline Weekly discuss the most interesting developments within the commercial airline industry. In keeping with Airline Weekly’s style, conversation generally centers on one question: How do you make money in this industry?
Épisodes
Decoding Q3 U.S. Airline Earnings
29 oct. 2026 · 45 min
Gordon Smith and Jay Shabat break down third-quarter earnings from the biggest U.S. airlines, examining record revenues, rising fuel costs, and diverging financial performance. They discuss JetBlue’s financial challenges, Southwest’s turnaround, the gap between revenue growth and underlying…
United Airlines Is Bullish. Should It Be?
22 oct. 2026 · 39 min
United Airlines is feeling bullish after its third-quarter earnings. But does the outlook match the optimism? Gordon and Jay break down the biggest takeaways from United’s Q3 earnings call, including what CEO Scott Kirby and his leadership team revealed about the airline’s performance and what may…
Delta Sets the Pace for Airline Earnings Season
15 oct. 2026 · 35 min
As Delta Air Lines kicks off Q3 earnings, Gordon and Jay unpack the numbers. Plus, could Southwest be eyeing widebody aircraft? And what's behind the latest slide in JetBlue's share price? Follow the Hosts: Gordon Smith – LinkedIn Jay Shabat –…
Delta Kicks Off Q3 Earnings Season
8 oct. 2026 · 41 min
In part one, Gordon and Jay preview what to watch as U.S. carriers report Q3 earnings. In part two, they turn to Alaska Airlines' investor day and discuss what stood out. Follow the Hosts: Follow the Hosts: Gordon Smith – LinkedIn Jay Shabat –…
Virgin Atlantic CEO Corneel Koster on Fuel, AI, and ATC Meltdowns
1 oct. 2026 · 18 min
Gordon Smith sits down with Virgin Atlantic CEO Corneel Koster on the sidelines of Skift Global Forum in New York. They discuss how fuel costs are weighing on the airline and why premium demand keeps holding up, before turning to recent air traffic control meltdowns that have disrupted…
What American, Southwest and United Told Investors
24 sept. 2026 · 38 min
Gordon is joined by Jay and Meghna to unpack the recent Morgan Stanley Laguna conference, where executives from American, Southwest and United set out where they think the market is heading. Follow the Hosts: Gordon Smith – LinkedIn Jay Shabat –…
Airlines Post Record Revenues But Costs Catch Up
17 sept. 2026 · 42 min
Gordon and Jay open with why record revenues still aren't covering a sharp rise in costs, then turn to what JetBlue's latest outlook tells the rest of the industry. Follow the Hosts: Gordon Smith – LinkedIn Jay Shabat –…
The Air Canada Anko Inherits
10 sept. 2026 · 38 min
In part one, Gordon and Jay weigh the opportunities in front of Air Canada against the challenges that come with them. In part two, the conversation turns to China, and why the country's Big Three carriers had such a rough second quarter. Follow the Hosts: Gordon Smith –…
Why US Airlines Are Betting Big on Europe in 2027
3 sept. 2026 · 32 min
In part one, Jay and Meghna discuss the latest transatlantic expansion announcements from United and American Airlines and what they reveal about how US carriers are rethinking their European strategies. In part two, the conversation turns to the A321XLR, the narrow body aircraft making these new…
Qatar Airways: Skift Global Forum Preview
27 août 2026 · 33 min
In part one, Gordon and Jay discuss some of the biggest talking points at Qatar Airways, as the airline's CEO, Hamad Ali Al-Khater, prepares to join the Skift Global Forum in New York next month. In part two, the conversation focuses on impressive Q2 profitability at Kuwait's Jazeera Airways.…
Skift Global Forum 2026: Aviation Preview
20 août 2026 · 40 min
In this week's show, Gordon and Jay discuss two industry giants that are due to speak at the Skift Global Forum 2026 in New York between September 22-24. The conversation kicks off with Air Canada before turning to Virgin Atlantic. For the latest agenda and to book your ticket, visit…
Turkish Airlines' Turbulent Quarter
13 août 2026 · 30 min
In part one, Gordon and Jay discuss a mixed set of Q2 results for Turkish Airlines. In part two, the conversation turns to Allegiant Air, with the U.S. carrier now taking Sun Country under its wing. Follow the Hosts: Gordon Smith – LinkedIn Jay Shabat…
Swiss Shines But Lufthansa Lags
6 août 2026 · 34 min
Swiss out-earned the entire Lufthansa Group network division it belongs to last quarter, while the core Lufthansa brand slid back into an operating loss. Gordon and Jay work through how a fuel bill undid a solid demand quarter, and why Swiss keeps outperforming its much larger sibling. Follow the…
Airshow Highs and Earnings Season Realities
30 juil. 2026 · 43 min
In part one, Gordon and Jay discuss the highlights from last week's Farnborough International Airshow, reviewing the big deals and longer term impact of the event. In part two, the conversation turns to earnings season, with a Q2 round-up from the main U.S. carriers. Connect with Airline Weekly…
Why 2026 Is Aviation's Most Volatile Year Since COVID
23 juil. 2026 · 1 h 02
The airline industry is navigating its most unpredictable period since the pandemic, with fuel prices, geopolitical tensions, premium travel demand, and aircraft shortages reshaping the competitive landscape. Gordon Smith and Jay Shabat break down the data behind the headlines, explaining why…
How Many Planes Does the World Need?
18 juil. 2026 · 26 min
Ahead of the Farnborough Airshow, for this special episode Gordon Smith and Meghna Maharishi are joined by Darren Hulst, Boeing's VP of Commercial Marketing. The conversation centers on the planemaker's latest Commercial Market Outlook, an annual report which asks how many aircraft the world will…
Can a "New Class of BNPL" Become a Strategic Loyalty Play?
16 juil. 2026 · 18 min
ClarityPay recently partnered with JetBlue to introduce a new pay-later program that combines embedded financing, loyalty, and personalization to drive incremental revenue. Learn more about ClarityPay here: claritypay.com/travel Follow the Hosts: Gordon Smith –…
How Much is EasyJet Worth?
9 juil. 2026 · 43 min
An approach from U.S. private equity firm Castlelake has reopened the question of what EasyJet is actually worth. Gordon and Jay run through the latest takeover chatter before setting the scene for Delta's Q2 earnings. Follow the Hosts: Gordon Smith –…
Does SAS Really Need 40 A330neos?
2 juil. 2026 · 38 min
Does SAS Really Need 40 A330neos? In part one, Gordon and Jay discuss SAS Scandinavian Airlines' new widebody order and ask whether the carrier can justify that many additional planes. In part two, the focus turns to Air New Zealand, where management has just published an updated turnaround plan.…
Is Las Vegas Out of Luck?
25 juin 2026 · 37 min
Las Vegas air traffic is down 6%. Gordon and Jay work through what's behind it, then turn to a U.S. market headed firmly the other way. Follow the Hosts: Gordon Smith – LinkedIn Jay Shabat – LinkedIn Meghna…